Pop!
⚡️ACZC Happenings, 9/21 - 9/27⚡️
And if you like something, listen to it again. If you still like it, listen to it again…” - Robert Holliday
Hello Sangha!
And happy Fall y’all. Despite some 80º dying gasps of summer predicted this week, even down here in sunny LA the weather worm has reliably turned to some downright delightfully chill mornings here in the zendo, literally and metaphorically, so hey, feel free to pop on in some morning if you’re feeling like a little waking up with your wake up.
But speaking of taking the time to listen to the birds and bustle and forget which is which, this week on the podcast we are very excited to bring you Pop! (Music, Sound, and Consciousness) w/ Robert Holliday. Robert demonstrates how creativity can lead to realization in an autobiography of deconstructing himself through sound and music, complete with all the bells and whistles (literally!) as he plays us a symphony of revealing irrationalities. Can we find spiritual security through sound? Is reveling in art just another attachment, or an opportunity for letting go? Are our favorite earworms a distraction or a revelation?? Find out here!
Up now at http://aczc.org/aczcpodcast or on all your favorite podcast platforms.
And hey, here’s a koan classic for this week:
Case in point:
Linji asked Huangbo, “What is the most important point in Buddhism?” Huangbo immediately hit him. Three times Linji asked, and each time, Huangbo hit him. So Linji left and went to see Dayu.
Dayu asked, “Where are you coming from?”
Linji said, “From Huangbo.”
Dayu said, “And what did Hunagbo tell you?”
Linji said, “I asked him three times what the most important point in Buddhism is, and all three times he hit me. I don’t know what I did wrong.”
Dayu said, “Huangbo was kind enough to do all he possible could for you. And still you come here and ask what you did wrong.”
At these words, Linji had a great realization.
This Week in Zen! All times posted in Pacific time zone, all sessions hosted in person and on Zoom unless otherwise marked (email us for quick and easy Zoom access info):
Saturday - 9/21, 10am - 12:30pm
Sit & Discussion w/ Patrick Carroll- Our biggest day of the week! Two half hour rounds of zazen, and then in his first regular dharma talk, sangha stalwart and good friend to all, Patrick, takes the hot seat to dive into that thorniest of recommendations, the 5th precept, aka no dealing in intoxicants. Does Buddha really begrudge us an innocent drink? What drives us to muddy our minds more than they already seem? Is following the spirit (cheers!) of a rule good enough even if we don’t always follow it to the letter?? Let’s discuss!
Monday - 9/23, 7:30pm - 9pm
Sit & Discussion w/ Tanya Orlov - One half hour round of zazen and then, speaking of Fall fuzzies, Tanya will be giving us some hard won advice on being kind to yourself through hard times. Which sounds like just the advice we’d like to hear. See y’all there!
Wednesday - 9/25, 7:30pm - 9pm (Zoom Only)
Sit & Koan Discussion w/ Dave Cuomo - But Buddha spare us the kindness of the ancestors! Linji wants some answers on Zen’s more “innovative” methods. Will he break the cycle and treat his own students right? Or was this the first turning of a dharma wheel we’re still trying to set right? Or, if and when the moment comes, will we have the honesty to give the gift of tough love? Let’s find out!
Friday - 9/27, 8am
Morning Chanting Service - This week! We rouse the ancestors in the language they seem to love best (blissful unknowing non sense) with the traditional Maka Hannya Haramita Shingyo and Daihishin Darani. Poetry for the ages! Come on out and lend us your voice.
Tuesday - Friday, 7am - 8am
Morning Sit - One simple hour of what we do best - just sitting. Optional five minute stretch break offered in the middle.
See y’all soon!
Love,
ACZC